Residents urge more park maintenance and police presence; rider asks council about transit access for people with disabilities

At the July 24, 2023 St. Joseph City Council meeting, public commenters urged the city to address park maintenance and patrols and asked about transit accommodations for people with disabilities.

Gary Scholtes, a resident of 807 South Eighteenth Street, told the council that Bartlett Park has broken equipment and that the surface at a YMCA playground is coming up in places. "And I'd like to see some police presence in the parks because there's being drugs sold at Bartlett Park," Scholtes said, and he asked for periodic visits by police or fire personnel to build positive visibility for children.

City staff responded that the parks maintenance team will inspect Bartlett Park and noted the YMCA playground is on non-city property; staff said they would contact YMCA leadership. On police presence, staff acknowledged staffing constraints but said the new police chief is implementing initiatives and the city hopes to incorporate more community engagement as capacity allows.

Jordan Lynch asked whether the bus system provides specific accommodations for people with disabilities and raised gaps in sidewalks along the Belt Highway. City staff said efforts to reduce bus lead times have produced improvements: "We reduced, mostly times from, I believe, it was about an hour to half an hour," staff said, and added that the system is transitioning to a "belt core" that will be aided by more sidewalks as development connects routes. Staff offered contact information for paratransit and specialty services that transport adults with disabilities and noted OST provides accommodations for riders with special needs.

A final speaker card (Terry Gann) declined to speak. With no other business the presiding officer adjourned the meeting.